System and method of utilizing a remote server to create movies and slide shows for viewing on a cellular telephone

Abstract

There is provided herein a system and method for automatically creating digital video works within a remote server based on digital image content contained in a user's camera cell phone or attached memory card. In the preferred arrangement, the cell phone owner will begin by selecting digital content (e.g., still images and/or video clips) that is to appear in the video work. Optionally, the user will also select a video theme or style that is to be given to the video. The details of the user's choices and the selected video images will be sent to a remote server where the video work will be automatically created. The completed video will then be transmitted back to the user for viewing on his or her own cell phone, thereby creating a custom video work without requiring interaction with a desktop or laptop personal computer.

1. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device, comprising the steps of:
 a. selecting a plurality of media items from within said handheld device; 
 b. selecting a video style; 
 c. determining a device type of a first handheld device; 
 d. wirelessly transmitting from said first handheld device at least said selected plurality of media items, an indicia representative of said selected video style, and an indicia representative of said device type to a remote server; 
 e. automatically creating on said remote server an integrated video work from said selected media items according to said selected video style and said device type; 
 f. transmitting a notification from said remote server to a second handheld device, said notification comprising at least a link to said integrated video work; and, 
 g. viewing via said link said integrated video work on said second handheld device. 
 
     
     
       2. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first handheld device and said second handheld device are a same handheld device. 
     
     
       3. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of selected media items includes at least two digital still images. 
     
     
       4. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 3 , wherein said integrated video work comprises a video slide show containing at least said at least two digital images. 
     
     
       5. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said integrated video work comprises a video portion and an audio portion, said audio and video portions being designed to be played simultaneously. 
     
     
       6. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said integrated video work comprises a single video file. 
     
     
       7. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first handheld device and said second handheld device are selected from a group consisting of a cell phone and a PDA. 
     
     
       8. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first handheld device is a cell phone and said device type is representative of a manufacturer and a model of said cell phone. 
     
     
       9. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , wherein said link to said integrated video work comprises an Internet link to said video work. 
     
     
       10. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , comprising the further step of:
 (h) storing at least a portion of said viewed integrated video work on said second handheld device. 
 
     
     
       11. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1 , comprising the further steps of:
 (h) transmitting said notification to at least one additional handheld device different from said second handheld device, and, 
 (i) within at least one of said additional handheld devices different from said second handheld device, viewing via said link said integrated video work on said second handheld device. 
 
     
     
       12. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting via a cellular telephone signal at least said selected plurality of media items, said indicia representative of said selected video style, and said indicia representative of said device type to a remote server. 
     
     
       13. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting via Bluetooth at least said selected plurality of media items, said indicia representative of said selected video style, and said indicia representative of said device type to a remote server. 
     
     
       14. A method of preparing a video slide show for display on a cellular telephone, comprising the steps of:
 a. within said cellular telephone, selecting a plurality of digital images; 
 b. within said cellular telephone, selecting a video style; 
 c. determining a device type of said cellular telephone; 
 d. wireless transmitting at least said selected plurality of media items, said selected video style, and said device type from said cellular telephone to a remote server; 
 e. creating within said remote server a video slide show using at least said selected digital images according to said selected video style and said device type; 
 f. transmitting a notification to said handheld device, said notification comprising at least a link to said integrated video work; and, 
 g. downloading via said link said integrated video work to said handheld device, thereby preparing said integrated video work for display on said cellular telephone. 
 
     
     
       15. A method of preparing a video slide show for display on a cellular telephone according to  claim 14 , wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:
 (a1) selecting within said cellular telephone a plurality of digital images, and, 
 (a2) selecting at least one audio work, and, 
 
       wherein step (d) comprises the step of:
 (d1) wireless transmitting at least said selected plurality of media items, at least an indicia of said selected at least one audio work, said selected video style, and said device type from said cellular telephone to a remote server. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of preparing a video slide show for display on a cellular telephone according to  claim 14 , wherein step (e) comprises the steps of:
 (e1) reading a representation of said selected audio work according to at least said transmitted audio work indicia, 
 (e2) creating a video slide show work using at least said selected digital images and said read audio work according to said selected video style and said device type. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of preparing a video slide show for display on a cellular telephone according to  claim 16 , wherein step (d) comprises the steps of:
 (d1) wireless transmitting at least said selected plurality of media items, said selected at least one audio work, said selected video style, and said device type from said cellular telephone to a remote server, and, 
 
       wherein step (e2) comprises the step of:
 (i) creating a video slide show work using at least said selected digital images and said transmitted at least one audio work according to said selected video style and said device type. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 17 , wherein said handheld device is selected from a group consisting of a cell phone and a PDA. 
     
     
       19. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device having a digital camera integral thereto, comprising the steps of:
 a. capturing a plurality of digital images using said digital camera; 
 b. storing said plurality of captured images in said handheld device; 
 c. selecting at least two digital images from within said plurality of digital images; 
 d. selecting a video style; 
 e. determining a device type of said handheld device; 
 f. wirelessly transmitting from said handheld device to a remote server at least said selected plurality of digital images, an indication of said selected video style, and an indication of said device type to a remote server; 
 g. creating within said remote server an integrated video work from said selected digital images according to said selected video style and said device type; 
 h. initiating from said remote server a transmission of a notification to said handheld device, said notification comprising at least a link to said integrated video work; and, 
 i. downloading via said link said integrated video work to said handheld device, thereby preparing said integrated video work for display on said handheld device. 
 
     
     
       20. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 19 , wherein said integrated video work comprises a video portion and an audio portion, said audio and video portions being designed to be played simultaneously. 
     
     
       21. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 19 , wherein said integrated video work comprises a single video file. 
     
     
       22. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 19 , wherein said link to said integrated video work comprises an Internet link to said video work. 
     
     
       23. A method of preparing a video work for display on a handheld device according to  claim 19 , comprising the further step of:
 (h) viewing at least a portion of said downloaded integrated video work on said handheld device.